Posts by tag: Pepsi

Many of the most iconic race replicas are rolling billboards for tobacco products: Marlboro, John Player, Gauloises, Lucky Strike. Of course, that's no longer the case, with tobacco manufacturers largely banned from advertising on race bikes and cars, but it's hard to deny that those designs are memorable. But what if you're a racing fan, and want to own a bike from the glory days of two-stroke Grand Prix competition, but are morally opposed to the addictive, cancer-causing weed? Well, you can always look for a race replica a bike that advertises something less-lethal. Maybe something like this Suzuki RGV250Γ in Pepsi-Cola colors that just promotes... slightly less-lethal diabetes and obesity-causing sugar?

The pace of development for the 250cc two-stroke class was relentless, with multiple, distinctly different versions of each company's bike introduced during the short period between the mid 1980s and the early 1990s. This example of Suzuki's smoky two-stroke v-twin is actually a bit of a hybrid, combining the frame and bodywork of the earlier VJ21 with the swingarm and exhaust of the later VJ22. The VJ21 used a simple unit made of rectangular, box-section aluminum, while the later VJ22 used a curved, "banana" style swinger that was also made from aluminum, but distinctively curved on the right-hand side to allow the bulging expansion chambers to tuck in close to the bike's centerline and allow maximum lean angles.

The engine was Suzuki's liquid cooled, 90° two stroke v-twin with power valves and backed by a six-speed gearbox, a package that eventually found its way into Aprilia's entry into the class, the RS250. Power for de-restricted examples was in the neighborhood of 60hp, plenty to motivate the claimed dry weight of just 282lbs. The front wheel was 17" but the rear was 18" as was fashionable among two-stroke sportbikes of the period, but irritating if you're trying to shoe one today.

Up for sale is this clean 1989 VJ21 with a fresh top end and paint job. The bike handles well, and pulls strongly. It has benefited from an upgraded VJ22 arched swing-arm and cool dual single sided exhaust. It also has a new battery installed. It was recently imported from the UK.

The bike will come with copies of all the US customs paperwork, European registration documents, and a Bill of Sale. This is a classic and can be registered in all 50 States. I ask that the winning bidder pay a $300 deposit within 24 hours. I offer shipping with a right of refusal guarantee. If you've paid the deposit and delivery fee you can opt out of the sale whatever your misgivings may be. My delivery rates are competitive among motorcycle shipping companies. Thanks for looking at my auction. Please check out my other listings. I currently have a variety of Grey Market Japanese Imports from Europe/UK available. I welcome all inquires and bids. However, please, please, please only bid if you willing, and able, to dispense with this transaction in a reasonable about of time. Happy Bidding!

This one is a runner for sure, not a collector: the paint looks sharp, but isn't original, and the bike has been updated with that stylish banana swingarm of the later VJ22, along with the matching "shotgun" exhaust set up. I like the swingarm, but I'd ditch those weird green-gold levers for a set of black ones immediately if it were my bike. The big draw here? The $5,750 Buy It Now price, making it one of the most affordable RGV250s we've seen in a while. The seller claims it "can be registered in all 50 states" but that's simplifying things a bit, from what I understand. Especially in California. As always, caveat emptor.

One of the shining stars of the two-stroke GP era, the hugely popular Kevin Schwantz and fellow American Wayne Rainey made headlines for their epic rivalry and “winner-take-all” on-track brawls. Although he actually raced an RGV500, a number of Suzuki's road-going RGV250s were created with replica paintjobs to capitalize on Schwantz' racing success riding with Lucky Strike and Pepsi colors.

RGV250 Γ "Gamma" followed Honda’s lead with a switch from a parallel-twin to a 90° v-twin engine, although the later VJ23 version switched to an unusual 70° v-twin in 1997, likely for packaging reasons. Aprilia also used a modified version of the little v-twin in their RS250 in strict adherence to the “if it ain’t broke” philosophy, although they did make a few minor performance tweaks…

That engine was suspended in a lightweight aluminum frame, with triple disc brakes, a 17” front and an 18” rear wheel. The SP version of the bike also used adjustable suspension front and rear, a step up from the more basic models. Overall, the RGV250 matched the on-paper specifications of competing bikes from Honda and Kawasaki, with approximately 60hp on tap and 300lb dry weight.

Pepsi Edition located in Santa Ana, California. This bike is in very good condition for its age. Engine runs good, but could use a light carb clean. There are a few minor scratches on the fairing and two small dents on the front of the fuel tank. There are no cracks in the plastic. Bike has only 5910 KM = 3546 Miles on the clock. Pepsi RGV250SP are very hard to find in Japan now in this condition. Bike is sold with a bill of sale only. I don't have a title for the bike. Look at the pictures carefully and ask questions before you bid. This is a USA only auction. Again, this bike is sold with a bill of sale only, no title. More info on this bike is available on our website.

This is obviously a very cool motorcycle, but presents a couple problems for a potential buyer. For street riders, the lack of a title is a very real issue. Sure, in some very permissive states, registration may be possible. But for the rest of us, a fat sack of cash delivered to a morally-flexible DMV employee might be the only route to road-legal status. And for collectors, the physical imperfections might be an issue. I mean, if you’re buying an RGV to sit on display, you probably want it to be pretty pristine, unless it’s a famous racebike or something. So what’s left? Track-day riders? Hoarders? I’m sure there are plenty of folks who’d love one of these to thrash, but with an $8,200.00 starting bid, I think this particular bike will prove to be a tough sell.

It is all about the frame here. I'm sure I'd get a pretty big yawn out of most of you by posting an average RS125 but I thought the Spondon frame really made this a unique bike. The seller claims only two were ever produced.

I'm interested to know how it differs from a stock RS frame. What needed to be improved? Maybe not much since they only produced two? I know 125 racers are consumed with trimming weight so is this possibly a lighter frame?

As for the rest of the bike, the seller lists the specs as: a pre 95 engine, WP forks, Ohlins shock, Marvic wheels and Brembo brakes. The auction is on going but it also has a BIN of 3,750 GBP (rougly $6,000).

Next up is a very tasty FZR750R. It brings up the question; do we have any RSBFS readers that own an entire late 80's-early 90's super bike collection? I've seen Honda collections, Yamaha collections etc. but does anyone own all of them? Say an OWO1, RC30, GSXR750RR and ZX7-RR? On second thought, don't tell me, it will just depress me.

This appears to be a very nice stock example.

The info:

This bike was imported from Japan in 2002 and I have owned it for the last 4 1/2 years. It has had one other UK owner. It has had very limited use while I have had it, a few little rides here and there and it has been far too precious to me to take out on the track. It has never been out in the rain during my ownership, nor for that matter has it been out in the cold! That said, it is 23 years old an has not been sat in a museum either so there are a few cosmetic signs of age. However, because of it's limited use, it feels the same to ride as it probably did back in 1989.

Would a Japanse spec OWO1 be any different than exported models? The auction is ongoing here with it hovering in the 7,000 GBP ($9,000) range as of this writing. There does not appear to be a reserve; hmmmm.

I'm just taking a flyer on this one. This could be a Suzuki UK/Dream Machine Pepsi bike or just a simple respray. As you may know, Suzuki UK had some RG500's sprayed in Pepsi colors (and some in Skoal Bandit) to liven up sales. Did they do that with the RG250 as well?

A couple of things don't quite add up to me though. First this is listed as a 1989. Was the RGV250 (VJ21) not out in the UK in 1989? Now that I said that, am I remembering correctly that the UK only got the VJ22 officially imported? Secondly and maybe more curious is that it is a high mileage bike and the paint looks unblemished in the photos. That makes me think it is a more recent respray. On the flip side the paint looks correct and the red seat is just like the RG500.

Be it the real thing or not, it is at least some eye candy to start your week with. The asking price is the real thing. They are asking 3,999 GBP ( roughly $5,200).

I take cash or check for the plug PepsiCo. Take your hand off your wallet if you are in the United States as this one is in Australia. It's still ok to look at the pictures though. Seeing a Pepsi logo on a Suzuki takes me back to the days of a young Kevin Schwantz starting to show promise and put the Suzuki RGV500 right up there with the dominant Yamaha's and Honda's of the day. I have to admit though, I've always thought these Pepsi RG500's have looked a little funky. The older RG silhouette with the Pepsi paint just doesn't look quite right compared to say the RGV250 (VJ21) Pepsi Edition. The story behind them, as told to me, is very interesting.

Apparently by 1988 RG500's were not moving off the showroom floors very quickly due to the sales success of the GSXR750. Heron Suzuki decided a little race paint might make the bikes more appealing and commissioned Dream Machine to paint 50 Pepsi RG's and 50 Skoal Bandit RG's. So, if you are purist, you can argue that these aren't "official" Suzuki replicas. I'd get into that argument with Lucky Strike RGV250 (VJ22) owners in the UK because apparently Suzuki UK had some RGV250's sprayed in Lucky Strike colors as well. Having said that, the paint quality on these is supposed to excellent and they are extremely rare bikes.

The seller has owned the bike for 13 years and states it resides in his house. He does say it was tuned by UK tuner Stan Stephens but doesn't go into any detail of what work was actually done. Not a bad thing but I know hard core collectors like them as close to stock as possible.

The solo tail cover was included with the bikes.

The info:

Well then what can I say about this that the pictures don't?

As you can see it is in amazing condition and those of you who know about RG500's will know how rare this is.

The only marks on it are from moving it around the house and shed.

It is the 7th Pepsi RG500 made by Heron Suzuki UK, This is stamped on it.

I have had this for 13 years and the person before me had it since new.

It has been tuned by the legendary two stroke tuner Stan Stephens in the UK apart from that it is standard.

I have the passenger seat and foot pegs as well.

I have the Suzuki service book and paper work and the import paper work to register it in Australia.

I can register it for you if you like to save any hassle (it's not hard though).

As you can see by one of the pic's it has been on display in my house and has been for years as ART.

It has been started regularly yes even in the house and filled the house with the smell of two stroke, a much better smell than roses as any die hard two stroke fan will agree.

I only rode it up the road and back in the house to keep all in great working order.

I moved from this house a few years ago and it's been in a dry shed but still ridden up the road and back 2 kilometres about every six months.

I feel the leather jacket signed by Kevin must go with it, He signed it for me when I had a BBQ with him and his mum and dad back in the day.

I have a contact that transports bikes Australia wide and for example from the Gold Coast to Sydney it's $200.

If you would like me to take a pic of any other part of the bike just let me know and I can email it to you.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about it.

The seller is definitely asking collector type money. The bike is at $15,000 Aus and has not met reserve and this is a re listing with a lower reserve. Do you guys think it would command $15,000 in the U.S. (titled)?

I think this is a rare find, a new never started RGV250 from 1989. These 250 2 strokes are nigh on race bikes for the road and to find one is such an untouched state is remarkable. Personally I have always wanted to lay my hands on a KR1-S but a tidy little RGV would always do.

New 1989 Suzuki RGV250SP Kevin Schwantz Pepsi Edition. This bike is NEW never started or had gas in it. Mirrors have never been mounted, and will come with the bike. The optional Suzuki rear stand in the pictures will also come with the bike. Bike has all the manuals, tool kit and extra sticker kit. I don't have a title for this bike. Bike is sold with a BILL OF SALE ONLY! Check out my other auctions for more race parts and bikes or check us out on the web. Payment must be received no later than 7 days of auction close. Payment must be a bank transfer or cash only. Bike is sold as is so ask questions before you bid.

The asking price of $15,000 certainly is higher than you would expect for an RGV250 but for one is this condition it is difficult to know. The bike also has Kevin Schwantz's signature which adds a certain something. Personally I would not mind having this little beauty in my garage. A bit of research shows that this bike has been on and off for sale for some time which makes you wonder if the seller is not overly keen to sell rather wants to hold out for the price.

For those who wonder what a 2 stroke like this sounds like, this YouTube clip should give you some idea.

Alright, so this doesn't appear to come with the box but this RGV is as new as they get! Located in California is a 1988 Suzuki RGV250SP. The seller, RMD Motors, sums it up very well "This bike is NEW never started or had gas in it." The photo shows a bike which can match this claim. This is the first year of the RGV and also the first SP, featuring a dry clutch as the most distinguishable difference. These early RGV's have a 17" front, 18" Rear, combination. This bike is pure eye candy and deserves to be in a glorious living room--if possible. No asking price is listed but, if you have to ask... No title information is given but I don't think it would make a serious difference with this bike other than to tack a few thousand onto the total price. See this RGV on RMD's website here.

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